Local Guides World
Top Natural history museums in Maple Bay, Canada
Top Rated Natural history museums in Maple Bay
Top Reviewed Natural history museums in Maple Bay
Reviews
This place surprised me, but in a good way! We were expecting a small place that we'd be done exploring in 30 minutes. We spent around 3 hours in there browsing through all the artifacts. I'm from Pakistan and got to see photos and pieces collected from there during the owner's travels - it was unexpected and made me so happy to see! The owner's travel experiences and seeing them incorporated in the museum, along with his family story, was heartwarming. Amazing place and well worth stopping at.
What an amazing and interesting collection. We recommend everyone who visits Vancouver Island takes the time to visit this absolutely brilliant museum.
A very diverse collection with lots of information provided.
A real highlight for us was meeting the boss Jim Shockey who is the nicest museum boss you will ever meet.
A very diverse collection with lots of information provided.
A real highlight for us was meeting the boss Jim Shockey who is the nicest museum boss you will ever meet.
Very cool museum to check out! It's lime nothing I've seen before. You pay by donation, which is nice and there is so much to see. Not the easiest location to get to, but you drive, you'll be fine. Staff are nice and there is a cute gift shop at the end of it.
I found this to be a really unique and almost overwhelming collection of things that follow a unique loose group of genres, from curios to international natural history level natural artifacts. But it is clearly centered around themes relevant to the cowichan valley indigenous culture, African tribal cultural artifacts, modern classics of western culture, paleontology... And a lot of taxidermy. A... Lot... Of taxidermy. But it is almost entirely museum level taxidermy, and very impressive, if you appreciate that particular craft. There is a very unique personal narrative loosely woven through the whole experience as well, and you feel like perhaps you've spent some time listening to a really genuinely interesting individual. How one person managed to actually amass such a collection, is really quite a feat unto itself. It's a great use of the building, and a very worthwhile excuse to drive out to Maple Bay. I happened to have also visited the Royal BC in Victoria a few days prior (under heavy renovation unfortunately)... At least for now, this was more interesting to me, and more worthy of the donation.
Visiting the island from Calgary, we heard about the hand of man museum from family in the area. We had some free time, so we decided we would check it out. I expected some artifacts, maybe a few cool pieces and some fairly interesting central piece. This would have been worth the money for admission if you ask me.
This museum blew my expectations out of the water. This hand curated collection features exhibits and artifacts that put other, more famous museums on the island to shame. After the first large room, featuring the second largest intact wooly mammoth tusks in the world, I was absolutely in awe.
The museum features everything from Dinosaur bones to modern art, all curated and organized as well as upwards of 2000 artifacts can be. The hand of man museum is not only the best museum on Vancouver Island, but one of the best in Canada.
Absolutely do not miss if you are a fan of natural history, human history, modern art, music, or just things in general.
This museum blew my expectations out of the water. This hand curated collection features exhibits and artifacts that put other, more famous museums on the island to shame. After the first large room, featuring the second largest intact wooly mammoth tusks in the world, I was absolutely in awe.
The museum features everything from Dinosaur bones to modern art, all curated and organized as well as upwards of 2000 artifacts can be. The hand of man museum is not only the best museum on Vancouver Island, but one of the best in Canada.
Absolutely do not miss if you are a fan of natural history, human history, modern art, music, or just things in general.
Our visit was absolutely INCREDIBLE! Our boys 5 & 3 loved it and were entertained for hours (our 5 year old could have stayed longer - the guided ipad really helps keeps little ones attention). It’s amazing that it’s by donation, so that everyone has a chance to go, regardless. We even got to meet Jim and he joyfully took pics with us. Love the heart behind this museum and the stories and treasures within it.
An amazing experience seeing the history and info of different cultures! Loved the iPad for visual interaction and more info on all the interesting pieces in this museum/gallery!
What a fantastic museum! Can't wait to take my grandkids here! So much to look at. Beautifully set up and maintained.
It was beyond anything we could have expected! We spent nearly 3 hours in there and still took our time walking back through everything on the way out! We were fortunate enough to meet Jim and his dog Baby (so sweet, she/he finds all the guests for pets, cuddles and sits on your feet❤️)
Jim was down to earth, kind and so welcoming. It's a real pleasure meeting someone who's been so sure of his life's passion from such a young age. A rare trait and one to be commended. The museum contains more than you can imagine from all corners of the world. So many unexpected and surprising artifacts that leave one in awe! Such a pleasure and a wonderful day was had. Thank you!
Jim was down to earth, kind and so welcoming. It's a real pleasure meeting someone who's been so sure of his life's passion from such a young age. A rare trait and one to be commended. The museum contains more than you can imagine from all corners of the world. So many unexpected and surprising artifacts that leave one in awe! Such a pleasure and a wonderful day was had. Thank you!
A must-see! And go when you have time, you def. can't rush through here. There is SO much incredible stuff packed in we spent hours easily. My son loved having the iPad so he could get even more information on each artifact. Thanks again, we will be back : )
Absolutely Amazing Museum! It is an experience walking through all the rooms and seeing everything Jim has collected throughout his travels. You will not be disappointed coming out to visit this unique place!! If I could rate it higher - I would! Definitely a must see!!
This is a wonderful, well thought out, comprehensive museum. They give you an IPad to carry and put in the number- which leads to a well written pictured explanation. And most have a very well done video with Jim Shockey narrating. The explanations are done with the heartfelt side that the creator possesses. This took us 5 hours and it was better that many large venues. This is a must!!!!
‼️⚠️please take your time to read the following before deciding to come to this horrid place⚠️‼️
((Giving it many stars to reach higher views))
Terrible upon terrible experience. A lot of dead animals being taken away to be carved and placed of walls in another white man museum. I would never return under any circumstance. Offensive pieces and many disrespectful pieces that are offensive to most people. Many graphic statures referring to the ways of Christianity and Catholic people. ((Not coming from a religious person)) Fake items associated to dinosaurs bones, dinosaur remains, ect. Extremely scented and strong fragrance in almost every room. (Which was not mentioned for those who have allergies) displayed artifacts mocking some aboriginal people. Displayed various disturbing animal coats. Many of these artifacts should be with the rightful owners. Not at all toddler or child friendly.
((Giving it many stars to reach higher views))
Terrible upon terrible experience. A lot of dead animals being taken away to be carved and placed of walls in another white man museum. I would never return under any circumstance. Offensive pieces and many disrespectful pieces that are offensive to most people. Many graphic statures referring to the ways of Christianity and Catholic people. ((Not coming from a religious person)) Fake items associated to dinosaurs bones, dinosaur remains, ect. Extremely scented and strong fragrance in almost every room. (Which was not mentioned for those who have allergies) displayed artifacts mocking some aboriginal people. Displayed various disturbing animal coats. Many of these artifacts should be with the rightful owners. Not at all toddler or child friendly.
Been wanting to go here for a long time and glad we finally did! Give yourself at least a couple of hours, there is a lot to see. Incredible collection!!
A most bizarre, overwhelming, richly rewarding, strange, somewhat disturbing, and educational place to visit. I guarantee you will find more than enough to keep yourself and your children interested for at least an hour. You need that long to see it all. This is an important museum well off the beaten track that deserves your attention.
What a hidden Gem.This is a must go to. It is Absolutely incredible. Will require more than one visit as I'm sure we missed some things. Jim has done an incredible job making his dream become a reality.
We met Jim putting up more displays. Took the time to chat with us for a bit.
What's really cool is you get an I-pad. Displays are numbered and you punch it in and get a video and pictures of the display.
We met Jim putting up more displays. Took the time to chat with us for a bit.
What's really cool is you get an I-pad. Displays are numbered and you punch it in and get a video and pictures of the display.